Officer killer's sister, girlfriend plead 'not guilty'

CLEVELAND -- The two women arrested Tuesday on charges related to the killing of Twinsburg police officer Josh Miktarian in 2008 pleaded not guilty in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Wednesday morning at their arraignment.

Bond was set at $50,000 each and Common Pleas Court Judge Daniel Gaul was assigned to the case.

The two women are Bridget Robinson, 36, now of Solon but formerly of Bedford Heights, and Danielle Roberson, 27, of Akron.

Robinson is the sister of Ashford L. Thompson, convicted in 2010 of killingMiktarian in July 2008. Roberson is Thompson's girlfriend. Robinson hired attorney Fernando Mack and she was able to post bond and is out of jail.

Roberson was declared indigent and is represented by court-appointed attorney Charles Morgan. She was unable to post bond and remains in Cuyahoga County Jail.

Both women were indicted Monday on multiple felony charges of obstructing justice and tampering with evidence in regard to the killing ofMiktarian about 2 a.m. July 13, 2008 in Twinsburg during a traffic stop for loud music coming fromThompson's car.

Miktarian made thetraffic stopand was in the process of handcuffing Thompson, the driver, whenThompsonshot him multiple times, then drove off with the handcuffs still on one wrist. Miktarian died of his wounds.

Roberson was in the car with Thompson when the July 2008 shooting occured. Robinson was arrested mid-morning Tuesday in her home on Glenallen Drive in Solon and Roberson was arrested at 713 E. Market Street in Akron at the same time.

The night of July 13, 2008, Twinsburg and Solonpolice officers converged on Miktarian's location when he didn't respond to radio calls.

Theyfound him lying on the ground, shot multiple times. Police later learned thatThompson was hiding in Robinson'shouse in Bedford Heights and went there and arrested him.

Miktarian, 33,left behind his wife, Holly, who was then an Oakwood police officer, and their 3-month-old daughter, Thea.

A jury found Thompson guilty of killing Miktarian and Summit County Common Pleas Court JudgeElinor Marsh Stormer sentenced him to death on June 23, 2010. His execution has been stayed while he appeals his conviction.

Robinson was charged with two counts of obstructing justice, two counts of attempted obstruction of justice, and two counts of tampering with evidence, all of which allegedly took place on July 13, 2008.

Roberson was charged with two counts of obstructing justice and one count of tampering with evidence.

The night of the killing, Roberson allegedly lied to police and also allegedly tried to help Thompson get the handcuffs off Thompson's wrist while police were looking for him.

The night of the killing, Robinson was living in Bedford Heights and that's where Thompson fled to after gunning down Miktarian. Robinson allegedly lied to police that he was there and also allegedly tampered with the gun he used to shoot and kill Miktarian.